The Miniature Soldier Ornaments are about 4 inches tall. The Miniature Nutcracker Soldier is wearing a red glitter fez style hat, without the tassel. He is wearing a green glittered uniform with gold and red decorations, red pants with gold tops and black boots. The Miniature Soldier Ornaments rifle is attached to his left side. Select this link to view our Nutcracker Ornaments.
Grenadier Soldiers.
The wide hats with broad brims characteristic of infantry during the late 17th century were discarded and replaced with caps. This was originally to allow the grenadier to sling his musket over his back with greater ease while throwing grenades (initially, only these troops were provided with slings). Additionally, a brimless hat permitted the grenadier greater ease in throwing the grenade overhand. By 1700, grenadiers in the English and other armies had adopted a cap in the shape of a bishop's mitre, usually decorated with the regimental insignia in embroidered cloth. In addition to grenades, they were equipped with contemporary longarms. The uniform included a belt tube that held the match for lighting the fuse; this feature was retained in later grenadier uniforms.
Battle Axe.
A battle axe is an axe specifically designed as a weapon. Battle axes were specialized versions of utility axes. Many were suitable for use in one hand, while others were larger and were wielded two handed. Axes designed for warfare ranged in weight from just over 1 to 6 pounds and in length from just over 1 to 5 feet, such as the Danish axe or the sparth axe. Select this link to view our Royal Soldier.
Through the course of human history, commonplace objects have been pressed into service as weapons. Axes are no exception. Besides axes designed for combat, there were many axes that were both tools and weapons. Axes could be designed as throwing weapons as well. Axes were always cheaper than swords and far more available. Select this link to view our Life Size Large Toy Soldier.
The Rifle.
Originally, rifles were sharpshooter weapons, while the regular infantry made use of the greater firepower of massed muskets, which fired round musket balls of calibers up to 19 mm. Select this link to view our Soldier Bear Nutcrackers.
By the mid 19th century manufacturing had advanced sufficiently that the musket was replaced by a range of rifles, generally single shot, breech loading and designed for aimed, discretionary fire by individual soldiers. Then, rifles had a stock, either fixed or folding, to be braced against the shoulder when firing. Early military rifles, such as the Baker rifle were shorter than the muskets and usually the weapon of a marksman. Until the early 20th century rifles tended to be very long. One 1890 Martini Henry was almost 6 ft in length, including the fixed bayonet. The demand for more compact weapons for cavalrymen led to the carbine, or shortened rifle. Select this link to view our U.S. Marine Corps Soldier Nutcracker.